Time is fair to all.
There is no time that is unfair. As Yujin took a step forward in Kazimierz, his friends did the same.
Theresa and Kalaisha advanced through their usual Arts training.
Theresis studied administration and strategy to solve Kazdel‘s internal problems.
Buldrokkas'tee, fitting no other mold, displayed overwhelming martial prowess.
Yujin thought the same. Time does not favor one person. It is fair to all, and though their strides may differ, he believed they would one day stand looking at the same scenery.
Six months to impart the essence of the Silver Lance to Kiril.
Nine months to teach Shining his own swordsmanship.
Finally, one year for the Nearl family's position to stabilize and the first Infected Knight Order to be established.
…It was time to leave.
"Leaving, you say."
"Yes. There's no reason to stay in Kazimierz any longer, so I thought I'd leave to find somewhere else."
The past year had been busy, if you could call it that. As the champion of the Champions League, he was invited to many places, and he participated in and won smaller knight tournaments held occasionally. Though to the participants who met Yujin, it was a disaster.
The Infected Knight Order was established, and amidst it all, Sona took the position of Commander. He still remembered the look in Sona‘s eyes when she heard she would be the Commander, staring at Yujin dumbfounded.
['You, you...! Are you crazy!!!']
['You won't lose anymore. Unless it's a really tough enemy.']
He couldn't seat an unskilled person as Commander, so Sona truly worked herself to the bone for a year. It was to the point where Kiril and Shining looked at her with pity.
Leading a Knight Order? Who did she think led the Infected in the sewers? Administration could be learned from Daniel, and Yujin could fill in the skill gap.
Like that, Sona, who worked herself to the bone for a year, became quite strong. Strong enough to show scenes of quickly annihilating enemies with her unique evasive maneuvers.
Daniel sat at his desk, tapping the table with his fingers, then made a regretful expression.
"I wish you would stay here, but since it is your will to leave, it would be right not to stop you. I've received much help from you in many ways."
"Don't mention it. Wasn't it the same for both of us, Daniel?"
Yujin now called Daniel comfortably.
"Indeed. A tavern run as a hobby in the back of the city. To think I'd meet someone like you there. Truly, you never know what will happen with people."
It hadn't been long, but Daniel‘s eyes looked into the past as if recalling his first meeting with Yujin. The disturbance in the tavern, the connection formed because of it. Daniel succeeded in rebuilding the Nearl family, and Yujin won the Champions League.
They both achieved what they wanted.
"Have you said all your goodbyes?"
"You're the last, Daniel. Everyone else already knows."
"Hah, that's a bit disappointing. Shouldn't we throw a party? Even if we call people today..."
Daniel tried to get up and call people immediately, but Yujin stopped him. Yujin also wanted to talk while waiting for the farewell, but his friend didn't let him.
[I'm going ahead to Yan.]
A letter with a single sentence, nothing else written.
Inwardly, when Theresis left for Kazdel, Yujin wondered if he had forgotten what he said, but that wasn't the case.
He couldn't keep his friend waiting, so he planned to leave immediately without a party. It wasn't like they wouldn't meet again; if the opportunity arose, they could meet anytime.
After the cleanup of the Armorless Union, his friends returned to Kazdel. Yujin was the only one who had to stay in Kazimierz for a long time due to circumstances, and Raquelamalin also returned to Kazdel with his friends since it would be awkward to go back alone later.
"…Phew."
However, when leaving.
The problem was that she blew a kiss on Yujin‘s cheek.
And in front of everyone.
Theresa tried to snap Yujin and Raquelamalin in half, and Theresis stopped her and forcibly shoved Theresa into the car. Anyway, a friend to whom he always felt only gratitude.
"Going to Yan?"
"Yes, not stopping anywhere else, going straight to Dahuang."
Destination: Yan's largest agricultural city, Dahuang.
Literally, a vacation this time. Nothing will happen, right?
He planned to learn some agricultural knowledge there and leave records.
"Kiril will be very disappointed. The mansion will be very quiet with you and Kisha leaving."
"We've already talked a lot. I taught him everything I could."
He had taught him everything. The rest was up to Kiril. That child had started growing tall at some point too.
Kiril can do it himself. Just as he no longer needs anyone's teaching, Kiril will find his own way and move forward. Excessive interference might seem like looking down on the child, so Yujin judged it was time for Kiril to stand alone.
Because that child is strong.
"Then, I must give you a final gift."
Daniel smiled and took out a large box. It didn't look very heavy, but when he turned the key, the box opened automatically with style, emitting smoke.
"…What is this?"
"You have a very unique secretary. When I asked to make armor, she interfered with every detail."
"PRTS?"
The cheeky AI that only appeared and spoke when it wanted to.
For the past year, it only appeared when it wanted to and didn't even show itself when it didn't want to. He didn't know if it had some scheme, but it often didn't respond to Yujin‘s calls.
Inside, there was a beautifully decorated coat with the Nearl family crest. Boots fitted perfectly like combat boots, daggers, hand axes, and various auxiliary weapons.
"I don't know what technology was used, but it was made exactly as that secretary said. A final gift for you."
"…Thank you."
"Compared to what you've done for us, receiving thanks feels a bit undeserved. Anyway, I wish you luck on all your journeys."
"Take care of yourself too, Daniel. I'd be sad to hear news of you getting hurt somewhere."
"I have to see my son get married."
"Heh, indeed."
Ending the conversation, he came out. Waiting in front were the car prepared for travel, Kiril, and Sona. Shining was already in the car.
Daniel also stood next to his son, perhaps to see him off.
"…It's sudden."
Daniel commented watching Yujin preparing to leave. If there had been a little more time, they would have thrown a party.
Sona lightly punched Yujin‘s chest as he tried to say his final goodbyes. Then she grinned and spoke, a different smile from before.
"Goodbye, Knight of Starlight. Though I should probably call you Master now."
"You worked hard for a year too."
"Hard work? Where else can you find someone who teaches for free these days?"
"Looking back, it all seems like memories, right?"
"…That's a bit much."
At Sona's words, they both burst into laughter.
Because a year ago and now were very different.
He thought that was the end of the farewell, but suddenly Sona drew her sword and assumed a salute. Her brightly smiling face was beautiful. Her red hair swaying, she said.
"If you need help, call anytime. That's the proper attitude toward a benefactor."
"…Right."
Finally, Kiril.
Kiril didn't cry or frown. He just smiled, hugged Yujin once, and let him go.
"Please, try not to get hurt. And cut down on throwing yourself to save others."
"…Hey, you shouldn't be saying that."
Kiril and Yujin were alike. Same human, similar personality. Perhaps resembling his grandfather, Kiril never hesitated to help others if there was injustice.
"Master."
"Kiril."
"Sona noona said it too, but call anytime if you need help. The Nearl family does not forget a debt."
Before Yujin got into the car, Kiril bowed in a final salute. Then he smiled and said to Yujin.
"Hardship and darkness."
"Fear them not."
Exchanging the final words. That was the end of the story, and Yujin started the car. Looking back through the mirror, Daniel, Kiril, and Sona remained in their spots until the car completely disappeared.
"Aren't you sad?"
Shining, sitting in the passenger seat, asked Yujin. Kazimierz, a place where he had grown attached and poured a lot of affection. But he couldn't stay in one place. Perhaps Yujin was born that way.
"We'll meet again someday. So, I'm not sad."
Shining also looked back. Kiril, the child she had spent time with like a brother, was standing there. Even if leaving was inevitable, it was true that it was sad.
"…Then, let's go."
Destination: Yan, and Dahuang.
The beginning of a new story.
Could such vast rice paddies be seen in any other land?
Rice plants grew lushly, standing in rows in the fields like the fur of beasts. When the wind blew and the sun shone, warm waves rippled as if the sea were moving.
In the middle of the paddy stood a woman. Lush leaves brushed against her clothes, and the woman pushed them aside, walking along the golden path.
"…Where are you going?"
"To find crops."
"There are already plenty. Is there a need to find more here?"
The young man with platinum eyes asked the woman, but she only smiled faintly and walked forward.
"We have to find crops that can be planted further away."
"..."
"Because this alone cannot feed everyone."
Spring rain wakes the sprouts and clears the sky.
Summer ripens the ears in the heat.
Autumn holds dew with frost.
Winter comes with snowy cold.
And, beyond that wall, over the distant mountain range.
A black calamity was crossing the ridge, approaching.
That was the end of the dream.